Afghan Biographies

Barialay, Atiqullah Gen

Name

Barialay, Atiqullah Gen

Ethnic backgr.

Tajik

Date of birth

1964

Function/Grade

Ex deputy minister

History and Biodata

2. Previous Functions:
Deputy defence minister (20030424)

3. Biodata:Atiq Ullah Baryalai was born 1964 in Northern Afghanistan. In 2010, he earned a master’s degree from the Royal College for Defense Studies, London, UK. He graduated in international relations and development studies from the University of East Anglia, UK in 2011. A Tajik from Badakhshan who made his career as a military commander under the famed Northern Alliance leader Ahmed Shah Massoud, he has modeled himself after his well-respected mentor. He had been appointed by the central government as military leader of four northern provinces--Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan and Kunduz. He blamed the notorious Uzbek Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum--to whose territory the remaining Taliban fled--for fomenting the violence.(20021102)
Lt. Gen Baryalai, after joining the Jihad against the Soviet Army in 1982, was promoted to Brigadier General in 1997 and served as the Acting Head of National Guard’s High Command after which, in 2002, he served as Major General and was Deputy Defense Minister (Weapons and Technology). From 2002 to 2004, he served again as Deputy Defense Minister and Commander of the North-Eastern Front against the Taliban and al Qaida. He also headed the Disarmament Demobilization and Re-integration Commission (DDR), Revival and Rebuilding of National Army Commission and
Reform Committee of the Ministry of Defense.
According to aides in both camps, Abdullah insists that former deputy defence minister, Atiqullah Baryalai, be made army chief of army staff. But Ghani did not agree.(20150417)
Atiqullah Baryalai, a former deputy defence minister, Jamiat-e Islami commander and is now a frequent commentator on strategic issues. (20160529)